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2016 NBA Mock Draft: Top Prospects Entering March Madness

By Maxwell Ogden

Mar 5, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) reacts from the court during the game against the LSU Tigers in the second half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 5, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Jamal Murray (23) reacts from the court during the game against the LSU Tigers in the second half at Rupp Arena. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /
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Feb 18, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Skal Labissiere (1) shakes hands with fans after the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Tennessee 80-70. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 18, 2016; Lexington, KY, USA; Kentucky Wildcats forward Skal Labissiere (1) shakes hands with fans after the game against the Tennessee Volunteers at Rupp Arena. Kentucky defeated Tennessee 80-70. Mandatory Credit: Mark Zerof-USA TODAY Sports /

11. Skal Labissiere, Kentucky Wildcats

Position: Center

Age: 19 (3/18/1996)

Height, Weight, Wingspan: 6’11.5″, 225 pounds, 7’2″

Slash Line: .515/.000/.667

Season Averages: 16.1 MPG, 6.8 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 1.1 ORPG, 1.6 BPG

Analysis

Leading up to the 2015-16 college basketball season, a debate raged about whether it was Skal Labissiere or Ben Simmons who was the No. 1 NBA prospect in the country. That seems like a silly conversation today, as Labissiere has spent most of 2015-16 underwhelming the masses.

In an act of perfect timing, Labissiere finally began to show us what we’d been waiting to see against none other than Simmons and the LSU Tigers.

The question is, can he maintain the pace?

Labissiere has elite upside that’s been compared to current NBA stars Anthony Davis and LaMarcus Aldridge. He’s justified his reputation as a dominant shot-blocker, but has created more question marks than reason for intrigue when it comes to the other aspects of his game.

That includes his thin frame, lack of a presence on the defensive glass, and an apparent refusal to take on contact down low.

Players have been skinny before, but Labissiere’s inability to make an impact on the boards is concerning. Players such as Aldridge, Chris Bosh, and Davis were all high-caliber rebounders in college, which can’t be said for the current Kentucky Wildcats star.

The good news: Labissiere is beginning to make an impact on the boards. If that persists, he may climb back into the Top 5.

Next: Explosive Point Guard